I was hoping you could spread the word about a hate crime that happened a few weeks ago in Williamsburg. on the corner of N. 4th St. and Wythe. A friend of mine who lives in the area, Barie Shortell, was attacked and on the way home one evening. He was not robbed, but the people attacking him did mock him with anti-gay taunts before they attacked him…breaking his nose, jaw and eye socket. The attack has been deemed a hate crime.

Barie is doing much better but is not insured and will certainly still have a way to go in recovery…more surgeries are guaranteed.

Any attention we can draw to this would be amazing. Barie could really use the support and people should know that this kind of shit is happening right here right now?

Duly posted. For what it is worth I heard about this disgusting act at last week’s Community Board meeting. It was described as being “pretty bad”. This is an understatement (he was in surgery for over nine hours to have his face reconstructed). Please be a good neighbor and help spread the word about what happened to Mr. Shortell. Those who are able, please tender a donation to help defray medical bills and/or attend the previously mentioned fundraiser at Blackout:

10 Comments on From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Benefit For Barie

What I keep coming back to is how no details have seemingly come out about this until I was contacted by a friend of Barie today. This happened on February 22nd. That is almost three weeks ago. Not only should we, citizens, be informed of this STAT because it is absolutely atrocious but it is also a matter of public safety. People should know someone was violently assaulted so they can take precautions/exercise more vigilance whilest knocking around Williamsburg. Someone clearly dropped the ball somewhere. I suspect I speak for everyone when I write that I do not want this to happen again.

[…] means he’s on the hook for the nightmarish hospital bill, so some friends have organized a fundraiser (called, ahem, “The Gay Bash”) for him next Wednesday in Brooklyn. Normally we don’t post about every local community’s efforts to raise cash (the task […]

[…] means he’s on the hook for the nightmarish hospital bill, so some friends have organized a fundraiser (called, ahem, “The Gay Bash”) for him next Wednesday in Brooklyn. Normally we don’t post about every local community’s efforts to raise cash (the task […]

[…] sweet sweet friends have set up a donation page, and planned a great event next Wednesday called “Gay Bash: A Benefit for Barie Shortell,” at the Blackout Bar in Greenpoint. It’s $35, which includes three hours of open bar. So […]

[…] Please spread the word. This is senseless and cruel and the last thing this poor man should be worrying about is money at a time like this. Thank you. If you can, please give to the fundraiser here. […]

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